Monthly Archives: December 2012

by Vinny G. – On Wednesday 30 June 2010, The Straits Times published stories on China and Taiwan signing a trade pact; Japan going out of the World Cup in the second round, after losing to Paraguay 3-5 on penalties after a goalless draw; and the death of Nicolas Hayek, the father of Swatch watches. Deep in the Classifieds section on page C20, it …

By Leong Sze Hian I refer to the report “Aljunied-Hougang town council could have asked for service extension: IT firm” (Channel NewsAsia, Dec 17). It states that “Last Friday, the Aljunied-Hougang town council said the termination was one reason its corporate governance audit was delayed. In a letter to the media, Action Information Management Pte Ltd (AIM) said it had …

By Terry Xu The SG conversation has been criticized as a sham by many netizens/citizens alike. This is especially so after the telecast of the first SG conversation with PM Lee revealed a significant number of grassroots members and members of PAP affiliated organisations taking part as participants in the TV forum.I recently attended a SG conversation discussion and write …

By Dr R G Eli In “A Matter Of Perspective” TOC, Nov 28th 2012… I wrote in summary. Let me now start explaining in some detail, beginning with saying, “Some of us accept the claims of others without giving their presenting arguments sufficient thought…..” Possibilities are that we’re either trusting, respectful, naïve, lazy or simply afraid? Whatever the reason, there are those of …

By: Ng Yi Shu The Online|Offline forum on the SMRT strike, the second so far (since the Think Centre forum on the 9th of December), focused on a peculiar angle: the strike and its implications on national security. National security can be defined as a “requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic power, diplomacy, …

By: Ng Yi Shu The Online|Offline forum on the SMRT strike, the second so far (since the Think Centre forum on the 9th of December), focused on a peculiar angle: the strike and its implications on national security. National security can be defined as a “requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic power, diplomacy, …

By: Ng Yi Shu (photo: Workfair) The recent SMRT strikes have led to a series of responses, culminating in two forums – one by Think Centre on the 9th of December 2012, and another by Online|Offline on the 15th of December. Much have been spoken online and offline about the strike and the relevant issues surrounding it – migrant worker …

Ghui Former President SR Nathan recently said that: “the role of Singapore’s president cannot be defined easily or clearly”. He also alluded to the fact that it would be difficult to educate Singaporean’s on the role of the president. (link) I agree that the exact remit of the President’s powers are challenging to grasp. But is the confusing state of …

By Dan Lim Can any real change come out from the Singapore Conversations initiative to engage the concerns of the people and the problem that Singapore faces today? Many on its Facebook outreach platform are already expressing scepticism about the seemingly one-way nature of this conversation. “We also want our voice to be heard, follows [sic] up and acknowledged” says …

By Leong Sze Hian I refer to the report “Public transport fare adjustments to take into account bus drivers’ wage increase” (Channel NewsAsia, Dec 6). It states that “Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said on Thursday public transport fare adjustments, due next year, will take into account the need to raise bus drivers’ wages. Mr Lui was speaking for the …

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